Human Development Notes

These flashcards cover essential topics in human development, including theories, research methods, and key developmental milestones.

What was the focus of Kenneth and Mamie Clark's doll study involving 200 Black children?

The study focused on self-esteem and the preference for white dolls over brown dolls, highlighting the psychological damage of segregation.

What is the significance of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling?

It ruled that 'separate educational facilities are inherently unequal,' playing a crucial role in outlawing segregation.

What are the two models of development proposed by John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau?

Locke's Mechanistic Model views development as passive (Tabula Rasa), while Rousseau's Organismic Model views development as active (children set their own development in motion).

List Baltes's six key principles of human development.

1. Development is lifelong, 2. Multidimensional, 3. Multidirectional, 4. Involves changing resource allocations, 5. Shows plasticity, 6. Influenced by historical and cultural contexts.

What is the primary focus of psychoanalytic theory in developmental psychology?

It focuses on unconscious processes and conflicts that shape behavior.

Describe the process of operant conditioning according to B.F. Skinner.

Operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavior, where reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior recurring.

What key concept did Albert Bandura contribute to learning theory?

He emphasized 'reciprocal determinism,' where the individual influences and is influenced by their environment, and highlighted observational learning.

What is the difference between assimilation and accommodation in Piaget's cognitive development theory?

Assimilation incorporates new information into existing schemes, while accommodation changes schemes to include new information.

What does the sociocultural theory, proposed by Lev Vygotsky, emphasize in child development?

It emphasizes children's active interaction with their social environments and the importance of the zone of proximal development (ZPD) and scaffolding.

What is the scientific method? List its main steps.

The scientific method involves identifying a problem, formulating hypotheses, collecting data, analyzing data, forming conclusions, and sharing findings.

What are the characteristics of a longitudinal study design?

It studies the same individuals over time, collecting data at multiple points to observe changes and developments.

What is Down syndrome and what chromosomal abnormality is associated with it?

Down syndrome is caused by Trisomy 21, where there is an extra 21st chromosome.

Explain the significance of prenatal care.

Prenatal care provides education, social services, and nutritional support to protect the health of both the infant and mother.

What are the two types of multiple births and how do they differ?

Monozygotic (MZ) twins come from one egg and share 100% of genes, while dizygotic (DZ) twins come from two eggs and share 50% of genes.

What are the typical stages of childbirth?

1. First stage: cervix dilates (longest, 12-14 hours), 2. Second stage: baby moves through birth canal (1-2 hours), 3. Third stage: placenta expelled (10-60 minutes).

What roles do touch and pain sensory experiences play in newborn development?

Touch is the first sense to develop, and newborns can experience pain at birth, indicating early development of sensory systems.

What are the potential risks associated with low birth weight?

Increased risk of neurological and cognitive impairments, lower academic achievement, and social, behavioral, and attention problems.

What is SIDS and some potential factors associated with it?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of an infant under one year, potentially linked to biological defects or sleeping position.